On the verge of reaching a thousand minutes in a Milan shirt, Luka Modric and the club are thinking about extending the journey. The Croatian has played 989 minutes so far, equal to sixteen and a half hours, with Milan. That includes 965 in Serie A and 24 in the Coppa Italia. He has handled the workload without notable physical strain, his mind still perfectly tuned to big challenges. Both sides are therefore confident about the future.
Last summer, Modric signed for one season with an option for a second, and the signs already point toward optimism. He has started all eleven Serie A matches, showing no hint of decline. Quite the opposite, thoughts are already turning to an extension. The final decision will come in spring, but as things stand, renewal seems almost certain. The club believes in him, also because Modric feels great in Milan, where life and football are going even better than he expected.
Modric is a model to follow:
The decision to extend, originally scheduled for the end of the season to test his fitness and adaptation to Italy, might be brought forward. In the league, Modric has only missed the closing minutes against Cremonese and Udinese, resting completely only in the Coppa Italia tie with Lecce. His numbers are striking. He is not only the playmaker but also a midfielder who engages in duels, already collecting two yellow cards in Serie A. His teammates see him as an example of dedication. His presence on the field has even convinced Leao to increase his defensive effort.
Everyone at Milanello respects his humility, despite a career full of trophies and personal honors, most notably the 2018 Ballon d’Or. Another milestone soon to be added is that of being the first Croatian to play in five World Cups. Since 2006, he has been part of the national team, for which he holds the all-time appearance record with 192 matches and 28 goals. Modric played in the 2006, 2014, 2018, and 2022 tournaments, finishing second in Russia and third in Qatar.
Is Modric managing his energy well?
To reach the United States for his fifth World Cup, Modric and Croatia need only one point from their next two qualifiers, at home against the Faroe Islands on Friday and away in Montenegro on Monday. Those matches, especially the first, are manageable. If qualification is secured this week as expected, Luka will be able to pace himself in the second game and arrive fresher for the derby, which matters given Milan’s recent fitness concerns during the October break, writes La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Mentor for the young?
Looking further ahead, after the summer in America, Modric could continue with Milan thanks to the contract extension currently valid until June 2026. The renewal option would keep him at the club until June 2027, by which time he will be 41. Even if not an undisputed starter, his presence would still be valuable. Young midfielders Ricci and Jashari are growing under his guidance and view him as a mentor. Today, Modric anchors Milan’s midfield while the two adapt to interior roles. In the future, they may inherit his place. Luka also aims for another record, this one from Ibrahimovic, who remains the oldest Milan player to feature in Serie A at 41 years and 146 days.
